Find your very own level on an alternative e-bike cycle into heart of the Trossachs
It was raining, proper Trossachs rain – those big fat drops you get on humid days were falling in biblical proportions, creating puddles the size of lochans.
It also meant the prospect of picking up a two-wheeler from Aberfoyle Bike Hire was not as appealing as a bacon roll from down the road. And not my usual mountain bike either, but an e-bike.
I was curious though so, waterproof on, I saddled up and let Jim Riach from the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Countryside Trust guide me through the deluge. The first thing I learned is that e-bikes are not minimotorbikes – you need to pedal away for power to kick in. There were three levels, like gears to get the legs going. From the bottom of the road leading up to the Duke’s Pass – a classic cycling climb from Aberfoyle into the heart of the Trossachs – I was uncertain how much power would kick in. I worried about huffing and puffing. However, when I pressed level three I found I was going along at a steady pace and still chatting. Then it was into the forest. The e-bike had enough suspension and grip to cope with little paths by the side of a waterfall or along wee burns. But it was the battery – which can last for more than 80 miles if used properly
– that brought in what Jim called the “e-bike smile”.
In no time, we were halfway to Callander – gazing over Loch Venachar. Ben A’an and the high hills of the Trossachs would have been visible had the landscape not been draped in mist but that smile was on my face.
We were following one of a series of routes mapped out by the Loch Lomond and Trossachs Countryside Trust and Forth Valley and Lomond Leader to encourage e-bikers. But with the heavens opened for the day we headed back over the Duke’s Pass.
But surely this is cheating? “It is not cheating, people who have these bikes can go further and so will spend more time on their bikes. It makes it accessible to more people.” It was then time for coffee, having enjoyed some exercise without complete exhaustion, although it did take some time to dry out.